March 18th program approaches Rheumatoid Arthritis
February 19, 2008A new Rural Health Education Foundation educational television program looks at recent advances in the prevention, treatment and management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The program will be broadcast live through the Foundation’s national satellite network on Tuesday 18th March 2008 at 8.00pm Sydney time, with a repeat at 12.30pm Sydney time on Wednesday 19th March.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 2.5% of all Australians. RA is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis and the most common autoimmune disease in Australia. The cause of RA is unknown and there is no cure, however there is strong evidence that early intervention in the disease process can moderate its potentially debilitating effects. Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Joint Approach, sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing, reviews the combined approach to the disease from a range of health professionals, with a particular focus on rural and remote Australia.
“This important program complements the Foundation’s last program, which had a focus on Osteoarthritis, made in 2002,” said Don Perlgut, CEO of the Rural Health Education Foundation.
Commenting on the significance of the topic, Ms Ainslie Cahill, CEO of Arthritis Australia, states: “The effects of rheumatoid arthritis on sufferers and their support networks are often understated. The management of rheumatoid arthritis is difficult at best, however when nearby resources are limited and rheumatology support is often far away, outcomes can be less than ideal for patients.”
Live program featuring an expert panel
The program explores current prevention strategies, diagnostic methods, management options and the contribution of lifestyle factors to onset and ongoing management of the disease. The panel is led by Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National, and consists of;
- Associate Professor Lyn March, practising Rheumatologist and President of the Australian Rheumatology Association;
- Dr Cathy Marshall, a General Practitioner from Bathurst in NSW and a Senior Lecturer in Rural General Practice at the University of Sydney;
- Dr Geraldine Moses, consulting Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Queensland Branch) Councillor; and
- Ms Jean McQuade, Director of Health, Education & Research Programmes, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Western Australia.
“I applaud the Rural Health Education Foundation’s program for providing health professionals with up to date and relevant information for the holistic life long management of rheumatoid arthritis patients”, said Ms Ainslie Cahill.
Program Distribution
Following the live broadcast, the program will also be available for free viewing via video web-streaming and listening by audio pod-casting through the Foundation’s website.
For more details, please contact the Foundation.